Dual cord operating system for an architectural covering

ABSTRACT

A covering for an architectural opening has a dual cord operating system. The covering may include a head rail, blind panels depending from the head rail, and an operating system. The operating system may include a housing connected to the head rail, a first drive assembly rotatably mounted within the housing and operable to move the blind panels between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, and a second drive assembly rotatably mounted within the housing and operable to move the blind panels between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/423,639, filed on Feb. 3, 2017, entitled “Dual Cord OperatingSystem for an Architectural Covering”, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 USC § 119(e) of the earlier filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/297,770 filed 19 Feb. 2016 andentitled “Dual Cord Operating System for Controlling a Covering for anArchitectural Opening,” which applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to architectural coverings, and morespecifically to a dual cord operating system for controlling anarchitectural covering.

BACKGROUND

Some architectural coverings utilize a cord to extend and to retract thecovering material in a horizontal direction, and are generallyreferenced as vertical coverings, or vertical window coverings, orvertical blinds (referenced herein by any such term without intent tolimit). Some vertical window coverings utilize two cord loops foroperation: one control cord loop for actuation by the user and a secondcontrol cord loop, connected to the first for extending and retractingthe vanes in response to the user's pulling on the first control cordloop. Often the first cord loop is pre-tensioned, which in turnincreases the amount of pull force needed to move the covering. A twocord configuration reduces the length of cord that must be undertension, and allows for better control of the tension of the cord thatis actuated by the user. Additionally, a hand wand often is used tofurther control the amount of light passing through the coveringmaterial, such as, in the case of vertical blinds, by rotating theposition of the vanes. Such hand wand may also provide a guide for thefirst cord. However, the integration of the wand into the housing andthe tension of the cords often cause the wand to pull or “kick” awayfrom vertical alignment.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an operating system for verticalcoverings, such as vertical blinds, that addresses the issues identifiedabove as well as other issues presented by present designs. The presentdisclosure generally provides a dual cord operating system for anarchitectural covering, such as coverings for an architecturalstructures or features, such as windows, doorways, archways, and thelike. As provided below, the operating system improves control of acovering by operably coupling a head rail cord loop with a separatelyconfigured control cord loop. The two cord loops may be coupled toprovide mechanical advantage and reduced pull force for a user comparedto systems in which the head rail cord and the control cord are coupledwithout a mechanical advantage. The operating system maintains thecontrol cord loop in a configuration which reduces the possibility ofentanglements (such as in a position adjacent an operation touch point,such as an operating wand) while maintaining an acceptable pull forceneeded to drive the head rail cord loop. A further understanding of thenature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized byreference to the remaining portions of the specification and drawings.

The present disclosure is given to aid understanding, and one of skillin the art will understand that each of the various aspects and featuresof the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in someinstances, or in combination with other aspects and features of thedisclosure in other instances. Accordingly, while the disclosure ispresented in terms of embodiments, it should be appreciated thatindividual aspects of any embodiment can have individual utility or beincorporated into other embodiments and further can be claimedseparately or in combination with aspects and features of thatembodiment or any other embodiment.

The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in thisapplication and no limitation as to the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements,components, or the like in this summary. In certain instances, detailsthat are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or thatrender other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Itshould be understood that the claimed subject matter is not necessarilylimited to the particular embodiments or arrangements illustratedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate examples of the disclosure and,together with the general description given above and the detaileddescription give below, serve to explain the principles of theseexamples.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a retractable coveringincorporating a dual cord operating system in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. The covering is shown in anextended and open configuration in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view of the covering of FIG. 1 withthe covering removed for clarity in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view of the dual cordoperating system for the covering of FIG. 1 in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Half of the housing has beenremoved for illustration purposes.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the dual cord operating systemfor the covering of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a gear reduction assembly of a firstdrive assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded top front isometric view of the gear reductionassembly of FIG. 5 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom rear isometric view of the gear reductionassembly of FIG. 5 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a rear housing half in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front isometric view of a housing connection member inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a rear isometric view of the housing connection member ofFIG. 9 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 1 taken alongline 11-11 of FIG. 3 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 1 taken alongline 12-12 of FIG. 3 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the covering of FIG. 1 taken alongline 13-13 of FIG. 3 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is an exploded front isometric view of the second drive assemblyshown in FIG. 4 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is an exploded rear isometric view of the second drive assemblyshown in FIG. 4 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 is an exploded top front isometric view of a pulley assembly inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an exploded top rear isometric view of the pulley assembly ofFIG. 16 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the pulley assembly of FIG. 16 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a front isometric view of components of a dual cord operatingsystem in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosurewith a front portion of a housing cover removed.

FIG. 20 is a rear isometric view of components of a dual cord operatingsystem in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure ofFIG. 19 with a rear portion of a housing cover and other elementsremoved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally provides an operating system for anarchitectural covering, such as coverings for an architectural structureor feature, such as windows, doorways, archways, or the like(hereinafter “architectural structure/feature” for the sake ofsimplicity and without intent to limit). The operating system mayinclude a first drive assembly operable to move the architecturalcovering in a first manner, such as between an extended configuration inwhich the covering is at least partially extended across thearchitectural structure/feature, and a retracted configuration in whichthe covering is at least partially retracted across the architecturalstructure/feature. The first drive assembly may be rotatably mountedwithin a housing. Optionally, the housing is compact and positioned ormounted adjacent to, and optionally coupled to, a head rail so as not tobe in the path of the covering material. The first drive assembly mayprovide a transmission or transmission system between (e.g., coupling) afirst cord loop operated by a user and a second cord loop operable tomove the covering in a first manner, such as between the extendedconfiguration and the retracted configuration.

The operating system may also include a second drive assembly operableto move the covering in a second manner, such as between a closedconfiguration and an open configuration to vary the amount of lightpassing through the covering material. The second drive assembly mayinclude a separate touch point or control element, such as a rotatableoperating shaft or wand (hereinafter referred to as an operating wandwithout intent to limit), arranged to move the architectural coveringbetween the closed and open configurations. The second drive assemblymay be separate from but operationally engaged with the first driveassembly. The second drive assembly may be proximate the first driveassembly. The first drive assembly may include a cord loop aligned withan operating element of the second drive assembly. For example, thefirst cord loop may be maintained in proximity to, such as in anoverlapping relationship with, the operating wand of the second driveassembly. As such, tension on the first cord loop has a minimal effecton the position of the operating wand (e.g., the hang of the wand)associated with the second drive assembly. The use of two cord loops inthe first drive assembly may serve to shorten the overall length of cordused to operate extension and retraction of the covering (i.e., byhaving two loops, each shorter than prior cord loops). The first driveassembly may be configured to decouple effects of tension of the secondcord loop from the operating wand of the second drive assembly via thefirst cord loop (e.g., so that tension on the second cord loop is nottranslated to the operating wand of the second drive assembly andthereby does not interfere with or alter the position of the operatingwand of the second drive assembly).

The first cord loop may be coupled to an input side of the first driveassembly and the second operating cord may be coupled to an output sideof the first drive assembly. For example, the first cord loop may berouted around a first pulley of the first drive assembly, and the cordloop may be routed around a second pulley of the first drive assembly.In such embodiments, the first and second pulleys may be operativelycoupled such that the first drive assembly operatively couples the firstcord loop with the second cord loop. In this manner, a user may move thecovering between extended and retracted configurations by manipulatingthe first cord loop, which in turn will actuate the first drive assemblyand manipulate the second cord loop to move the covering betweenextended and retracted configurations. The drive assembly may beconfigured to provide mechanical advantage to the user so that lessforce is required to cause the covering to move between extended andretracted positions than required by prior systems.

The operating wand may be coupled with a first operating element of thesecond drive assembly, the first operating element in turn coupled to(e.g., engaged with) a second operating element of the second driveassembly, such as via a transmission (e.g., a gear assembly or meshtherebetween). In such embodiments, the engagement between the first andsecond operating elements may provide a gear reduction or mechanicaladvantage to facilitate moving the covering between the closed and openconfigurations. The second operating element may be coupled with a shaftin the head rail that moves the covering (e.g., vanes or other types ofblind panels) between open and closed configurations (e.g., by rotatingthe vanes). For example, movement, such as rotation, of the firstoperating element in a first direction (e.g., rotation counterclockwise)translates through the coupling mechanism between the first and secondoperating elements to move the second operating element and,correspondingly, the shaft fixed to the second operating element in afirst manner, such as causing the second operating element and shaft torotate in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise). Movement ofthe second operating element (and shaft) in the first manner may move(e.g., rotate) the covering to the open or closed position, such ascausing the front of the vanes of the covering to pivot either toward oraway from the second drive assembly. Similarly, movement, such asrotation, of the first operating element in a second direction (e.g.,rotation clockwise) translates through the coupling mechanism betweenthe first and second operating elements to move the second operatingelement and the shaft in a second manner, such as causing the secondoperating element and shaft to rotate in a second rotational direction(e.g., counter-clockwise). Movement of the second operating element (andshaft) in the second manner may move (e.g., rotate) the covering to theopen or closed position, such as causing the front of the vanes of thecovering to pivot in the opposite direction.

An embodiment of a housing and drive assembly providing various of theaforementioned benefits is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 8, and 11-13. Asshown in FIGS. 1-4, an example of a retractable covering 110 having acovering material mounted on a head rail 112 extends across anarchitectural structure/feature. The retractable covering 110 may bemounted to a wall 119 (such as via the head rail 112) defining thearchitectural structure/feature (e.g., along a top of thestructure/feature). In some embodiments, the covering material mayinclude one or more covering panels or vanes 114 suspended from the headrail 112, the vanes 114 including vertically extending longitudinalaxes. A first drive assembly 132 for the covering 110 may be used toreversibly translate the covering 110 between extended and retractedconfigurations such as by moving the vanes 114 along a length of thehead rail 112. In an extended configuration, the vanes 114 of thecovering are extended at least partially across the architecturalstructure/feature. In a retracted configuration, the vanes 114 may beretracted adjacent to one side of the architectural structure/feature ina stacked relationship with one another so as to cover none or only aportion of the architectural structure/feature. In some embodiments, theoperating system may include a first touch point to operate the firstdrive assembly 132. For instance, a first operating cord loop 116 may becontrolled by a user to actuate the first drive assembly 132 to operatethe retractable covering 110, such as by transferring the force of thefirst operating cord 116 to a second operating cord 146 that loops alongthe head rail 112. As explained below, the second operating cord 146 maybe coupled with the covering 110 (e.g., with the vanes 114) such thatmovement of the second operating cord 146 moves the covering 110 betweenextended and retracted configurations.

A second drive assembly 134 for the covering 110 may be used to alterthe retractable covering 110 in another manner. For example, the seconddrive assembly 134 may be used to adjust, such as increasing and/orreducing/eliminating, viewing through the covering 110. In onenon-exclusive embodiment, the second drive assembly 134 may pivot thevanes 114 about their longitudinal axes to move the covering 110 betweenopen and closed configurations varying light transmission and viewthrough the covering 110. In an open configuration, the vanes 114 mayextend substantially parallel to one another and generally perpendicularto the architectural structure/feature in which the covering 110 ismounted such as to define a space therebetween to allow viewingtherethrough. In a closed configuration, the vanes 114 are in a paralleloverlapping relationship with one another and substantially parallelwith the architectural structure/feature so as to reduce viewing throughthe covering 110. While the vanes 114 are illustrated as extendingvertically, the vanes 114 could also be suspended horizontally as in aVenetian-type blind whereby ends of the vanes 114 opposite the rail 112would be pivotably attached to a support element. In the embodimentsdescribed herein, the vanes 114 may form a shade or blind. In someembodiments, the operating system may include a second touch point tooperate the second drive assembly 134. For example, in one embodiment,an operating wand 115 may be rotated by a user about its longitudinalaxis to actuate the second drive assembly 134, which may move the vanes114 and hence the covering 110 between open and closed configurations,as described more fully below.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the first driveassembly 132 is positioned relative to the second drive assembly 134 toprovide a desired aesthetic and/or functional characteristic. Forexample, the first drive assembly 132 may be proximate the second driveassembly 134. In one embodiment, the first drive assembly 132 mayinclude an operating element aligned with an operating element of thesecond drive assembly 134. For instance, the first operating cord 116may be aligned with, such as overlapping, an operating element of thesecond drive assembly 134. In further example, the first operating cord116 may extend around the operating wand 115 for operational movementabout the operating wand 115. As described below, the first operatingcord 116 may be held in place and movable with respect to the operatingwand 115, such as via a tether that is rotatably mounted to theoperating wand 115.

A housing 122 may be coupled to, such as mounted on, one end of the headrail 112 for mounting and optional enclosure of the operating system,particularly for optional enclosure of the first drive assembly 132 andthe second drive assembly 134. In an embodiment in which the housing 122is mounted on an end of the head rail 112, the housing 122 may bemounted such that at least the first drive assembly 132 is sufficientlyabove the covering material so as not to interfere with extension andretraction of the covering 110. Such a configuration may advantageouslybe used to provide a desired aesthetic and/or functional characteristic,such as reducing or eliminating the need to cut out portions of thevanes 114 to accommodate the housing 122.

The first operating cord 116, which may be referred to as a cord loop ora control cord, and may be considered the first cord loop, extendsdownward from at least a portion of the first drive assembly 132, suchas from within the housing 122, and adjacent the operating wand 115. Thefirst operating cord 116 may be coupled to the first drive assembly 132to allow the user to manually operate the first drive assembly 132.Circulation of the first operating cord 116 actuates the first driveassembly 132 and causes the second operating cord 146 to translate thevanes 114 along a length of the head rail 112 and across thearchitectural structure/feature so as to move the covering 110 betweenextended and retracted configurations. Optionally, a lower end of thefirst operating cord 116 may pass around a cord anchor 118, which may,in turn, be secured to a frame or wall 119 defining the architecturalstructure/feature. In some embodiments, the first operating cord 116 maydescend from the head rail 112 in a closed loop, and may bepre-tensioned, for example, against the operating wand 115, in order toachieve compliance with child safety standards. In certain embodiments,the first operating cord 116 may extend along the operating wand 115 foroperational movement about the operating wand 115 and may be held inplace and rotatable with respect to the operating wand 115. For example,the first operating cord 116 may pass through a curved channel definedwithin a handle (not shown) of the operating wand 115, or around apulley housed within a handle (not shown) of the operating wand 115, orthrough any other sort of tether attached to the operating wand 115rather than a fixed anchor on the wall 119. In each exemplaryembodiment, the cord anchor 118 or curved channel or pulley within ahandle provides for circulation and change of direction of the closedloop of the first operating cord 116, allowing the first operating cord116 to follow a reversible looped path.

In some embodiments, one or more cord restraints 120 or guides may becoupled to the operating wand 115 and may be operable to maintain thefirst operating cord 116 in close adjacent relationship with theoperating wand 115 and allow the first operating cord 116 to reversiblymove up and down along the length of the operating wand 115 (see FIG.1). An arcuate slot 280 or other opening may be defined in the cordrestraints 120 through which opposing sections of the first operatingcord 116 pass. Depending on the length of the operating wand 115 and thefirst operating cord 116, one or more cord restraints 120 may be coupledto the operating wand 115 in fixed configurations at regular orirregular spaced intervals. The operating wand 115 may be releasablycoupled to the operating system so that each cord restraint 120 mayslide over the top of the operating wand 115 and along the length of theoperating wand 115 until the desired position of each cord restraint 120is found. Each cord restraint 120 may be fastened or secured to theoperating wand 115 at particular locations along the operating wand 115.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed first drive assembly 132,the first operating cord 116 may extend from the first drive assembly132 to be positioned closer to an operating element (e.g., a firstoperating element 154) of the second drive assembly 134 than previouslyachieved in similar drive assemblies for retractable coverings. Becausethe first operating cord 116 is closer to the first operating element154 of the second drive assembly 134 and the wand 115 attached to thefirst operating element 154, pretension forces on the first drive cord116 have a shorter moment arm (if any) with respect to the wand 115 andthe operating element 154 of the second drive assembly 134, and thussuch forces are less likely to cause the wand 115 to be displaced fromhanging vertically beneath the operating element 154 of the second driveassembly 134.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-7, the first drive assembly 132(e.g., the rotation axis of the first drive assembly 132) is rotatablymounted at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the headrail 112. The first drive assembly 132 may be rotatably mounted by, forexample, first and second bearings 138, 140. In one embodiment, thefirst and second bearings 138, 140 may be rotatably received withincorresponding first and second bearing surfaces 142, 144, respectively,of the housing 122. The first operating cord 116 may be associated withthe first drive assembly 132 and may extend away from the first driveassembly 132 at least partially along a length of the second driveassembly 134. The second operating cord 146, which may be referred to asa head rail cord or a head rail cord loop, and may be considered asecond cord loop, may also be associated with the first drive assembly132 and may extend away from the first drive assembly 132 at leastpartially along a length of the head rail 112.

The operating system may be arranged to facilitate smooth operation ofthe first drive assembly 132 notwithstanding the angled mounting of thefirst drive assembly 132 relative to the head rail 112. For example, theoperating system may include structure operable to smoothly direct thefirst operating cord 116 and/or the second operating cord 146 throughvarious angles to accommodate the angled mounting of the first driveassembly 132. For example without limitation, as shown in theillustrative embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the covering 110 may include aconnection member 124 coupling the housing 122 to the head rail 112,such as being positioned at least partially between the housing 122 andthe head rail 112. The connection member 124 may include a pulley cradle265 (see FIG. 10) and a pair of directional pulleys 152 rotatably ornon-rotatably mounted on a pulley shaft 153 retained in the pulleycradle 265 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The directional pulleys 152 are providedto change the direction of the second operating cord 146 from extensionalong the head rail 112 to operate with the first drive assembly 132.For example, the directional pulleys 152 may be operable to positionfirst and second portions of the second operating cord 146 substantiallyparallel to a length of the head rail 112 and substantially parallel toa plane of the first drive assembly 132, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20, a pair ofcord chutes 367, for example, formed as part of a connection member 324,may extend from a surface of the connection member 324 as a substitutefor the directional pulleys 152 of FIGS. 3 and 4. The cord chutes 367may each form a smooth, concave channel as they extend from theconnection member 324. In such embodiments, the two lengths of thesecond operating cord 146 slide along the cord chutes 367, which extendat an oblique angle with respect to the orientation of the head rail 112to transition the second operating cord 146 from an orientationsubstantially parallel to the head rail 112 to an orientation suitablefor interfacing with the first drive assembly 132, such as substantiallyparallel to a plane of the first drive assembly 132.

In some embodiments, the first operating cord 116 may be coupled to afirst member of the first drive assembly 132, and the second operatingcord 146 may be coupled to a second member of the first drive assembly132. For example, the first operating cord 116 may be routed around afirst pulley 148 of the first drive assembly 132, and the secondoperating cord 146 may be routed around a second pulley 150 of the firstdrive assembly 132. In such embodiments, the first pulley 148 and thesecond pulley 150 are operatively coupled so that the first driveassembly 132 operatively couples the first operating cord 116 with thesecond operating cord 146. In this manner, a user may move the covering110 between extended and retracted configurations by manipulating thefirst operating cord 116, which in turn will actuate the first driveassembly 132 to manipulate the second operating cord 146 to move thecovering 110 between extended and retracted configurations.

In some embodiments, the first drive assembly 132 may be arranged toprovide a mechanical advantage to reduce the amount of force needed tooperate the covering 110, such as reducing the amount of pull forceneeded to move the covering between extended and retracted positions. Inan illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first drive assembly132 may include a gear reduction system such as a planetary gear trainsystem 136 or other gear reduction system. The gear ratio(s) of the gearsystem may be chosen to provide a mechanical advantage to reduce theforce required by the user to exert on the first operating cord 116 tocause the second operating cord 146 to move the covering 110 betweenextended and retracted positions. For example, the planetary gear system136 may be configured to move the covering 110 between extended andretracted configurations with greater force than that provided by theuser. For instance, the planetary gear system 136 may be configured suchthat the travel speed and translation distance of the second operatingcord 146 will be less than the corresponding travel speed andtranslation distance of the first operating cord 116, but the torqueapplied to the second operating cord 146 will be greater than the torqueapplied by the first operating cord 116, as explained below.

The planetary gear system 136 may include a sun gear 194, a ring gear196, and a plurality of planet gears 198 positioned between andinterfacing with or interconnecting the sun gear 194 and the ring gear196 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). A carrier 200 or carriage may support theplurality of planet gears 198 on posts 199 extending from one side ofthe carrier 200 within the planetary gear system 136. The carrier 200may include a plurality of buttresses 202 extending radially away from amain body 204 of the carrier 200. As explained in further detail below,the carrier 200 may be a plate, and also may be held in a stationary,non-rotating manner within the housing 122 by, for example, engagementof the plurality of buttresses 202 with portions of the housing 122. Aswith typical planetary gear systems, the sun gear 194 may include aplurality of gear teeth extending outwardly from a rotational axis ofthe sun gear 194 and operable to engage a plurality of gear teeth ofeach of the planet gears 198. The ring gear 196 may include a pluralityof gear teeth extending inwardly towards a rotational axis of the ringgear 196 and operable to engage the plurality of gear teeth of each ofthe planet gears 198.

In some embodiments, the sun gear 194 may include a smaller number ofgear teeth than the ring gear 196. In such a design, a greater number ofrotations of the sun gear 194 will correspond to a smaller number ofrotations of the ring gear 196. As a result, if the first operating cord116 is coupled with the sun gear 194 and the second operating cord 146is coupled with the ring gear 196, the travel speed and translationdistance of the second operating cord 146 will be less than thecorresponding travel speed and translation distance of the firstoperating cord 116, but the torque applied to the ring gear 196 will begreater than the torque applied to the sun gear 194. Correspondingly,the pulling force exerted on the second operating cord 146 will begreater than the pulling force exerted on the first operating cord 116by a user.

The rotational axis of the sun gear 194 corresponds with the rotationalaxis of the ring gear 196, and defines a common rotational axis of theplanetary gear system 136. Rotation of the sun gear 194 in a firstrotational direction causes the plurality of planet gears 198 to rotatein a second rotational direction opposite the first rotationaldirection. Rotation of the plurality of planet gears 198 in the secondrotational direction causes the ring gear 196 to rotate in the secondrotational direction. In a similar manner, rotation of the sun gear 194in the second rotational direction causes the plurality of planet gears198 and the ring gear 196 to rotate in the first rotational direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the illustrated embodiment of a first driveassembly 132 includes a first pulley 148 and a second pulley 150. Thefirst pulley 148, which may be referred to as an input pulley, may becoupled to, such as non-rotatably fixed or attached to or formed as partof, the sun gear 194. In like manner, the second pulley 150, which maybe referred to as an output pulley, may be coupled to, such asnon-rotatably fixed or attached to or formed as part of, the ring gear196. In some embodiments, the first pulley 148 may include a firstbearing 138, and the second pulley 150 may include a second bearing 140.In some embodiments as shown in the figures, the first pulley 148 mayinclude both the first and second bearings 138, 140. The first operatingcord 116 may be operably engaged with the first pulley 148 on the sungear 194, and the second operating cord 146 may be operably engaged withthe second pulley 150 on the ring gear 196. In such embodiments,manipulation of the first operating cord 116 by a user rotates the sungear 194 of the planetary gear system 136 on the first and secondbearings 138, 140, and translates rotation through the planet gears 198to the ring gear 196 to rotate the ring gear 196 in an oppositedirection to drive the second operating cord 146 as explained above.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, each of the illustrated embodiments of first andsecond pulleys 148, 150 includes alternating brackets 206 a/b to definerespective cord receiving grooves 208 a/b, each having a width, tofacilitate engagement of the first and second operating cords 116, 146with the first and second pulleys 148, 150, respectively. For example,the arrangement of the brackets 206 a/b may be such that the brackets206 a/b engage the first and second operating cords 116, 146 withoutslippage, as described below. The brackets 206 a/b may oppose each otherto define the grooves 208 a/b. In one embodiment, each bracket 206 a/bmay be spaced apart from adjacent brackets 206 a/b. In some embodiments,the brackets 206 a/b may be staggered or offset such that a bracket 206a/b on one side of a respective groove 208 a/b is positioned opposite aspace in between two brackets 206 a/b on an opposing side of therespective groove 208 a/b.

The brackets 206 a on the first pulley 148 may include a tab 210 aextending radially away from the rotational axis of the first pulley148. A ridge 212 a may extend perpendicularly from and bisect an innerface 214 a of each tab 210 a. The ridge 212 a may slant or taper from awide base adjacent the rotational axis of the first pulley 148 andnarrow as it extends along the inner face 214 a to a top edge 216 a ofthe tab 210 a. The bases of the ridges 212 a may extend across amidpoint of the groove 208 a such that they overlap. The brackets 206 amay be spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the groove 208a such that the first operating cord 116 fits within the groove 208 aand is frictionally engaged by the ridges 212 a to reduce or eliminateslippage in the groove 208 a. The top edges 216 b of the tabs 210 a andridges 212 a may be rounded or contoured in order to reduce abrasion ofthe first operating cord 116 as it passes between the brackets 206 a.

The brackets 206 b on the second pulley 150 may define a tab 210 bextending radially away from the rotational axis of the second pulley150. A pair of ridges 212 b may extend perpendicularly from lateraledges of each tab 210 b. The ridges 212 b on each tab 210 b may define achannel between them and the inner face 214 b of each tab 210 b. Aplurality of base ridges 215 may extend along a sidewall of the secondpulley 150 from the inner faces 214 b between each pair of ridges 212 bin a direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis of thesecond pulley 150. The tabs 210 b and ridges 212 b may be rounded orcontoured at a top edge 216 b in order to reduce abrasion of the secondoperating cord 146 as it passes between the brackets 206 b. The brackets206 b may be spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of thegroove 208 b such that the second operating cord 146 fits within thegroove 208 b and is frictionally engaged by the ridges 212 b and baseridges 215 to reduce or eliminate slippage in the groove 208 b.

In another illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 16-20, analternative first drive assembly 332 has a first pulley 348 and a secondpulley 350 that are operatively coupled so that the first drive assembly332 operatively couples the first operating cord 116 with the secondoperating cord 146. In one embodiment, the first pulley 348 and thesecond pulley 350 are axially aligned and rotate together in the samedirection, preferably at the same speed. For example, the firstoperating cord 116 may extend at least partially around the first pulley348, and the second operating cord 146 may extend at least partiallyaround the second pulley 350. The first pulley 348 is actuated by theuser pulling on the first operating cord 116. The second pulley 350 iscaused to rotate in conjunction with the first pulley 348 due to theconnection therebetween, which causes the second operating cord 146 toextend or to retract the covering 110. An outer diameter of the firstpulley 348 may be larger than an outer diameter of the second pulley 350to provide a mechanical advantage that reduces the pull force requiredby the user to exert on the first operating cord 116. In this manner, auser may move the covering 110 between extended and retractedconfigurations by manipulating the first operating cord 116, which inturn will actuate the first drive assembly 332 to manipulate the secondoperating cord 146 to move the covering 110 between extended andretracted configurations.

The first pulley 348 and the second pulley 350 of the alternative firstdrive assembly 332 of FIGS. 16-20 may have features similar to featuresdepicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7. For example, the first pulley348 may include a first bearing shaft 338 extending axially from a firstside thereof and a second bearing shaft 340 extending axially from asecond side thereof. The second bearing shaft 340 may extend through anaxial bearing hole 339 defined in the second pulley 350 when the firstpulley 348 and the second pulley 350 are coupled together. The secondbearing shaft 140 may extend axially beyond the outer face of the secondpulley 350.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the first and second pulleys 348, 350 may eachinclude alternating brackets 306 a/b which define respective cordreceiving grooves 308 a/b, each having a width, to facilitate receipt ofthe first and second operating cords 116, 146 therein, respectively. Therespective brackets 306 a/b may oppose each other to define the grooves308 a/b and may be staggered such that a respective bracket 306 a/b onone side of a respective groove 308 a/b is positioned opposite a spacein between two respective brackets 306 a/b on an opposing side of therespective groove 308 a/b.

Each of the brackets 306 a on the first pulley 348 may include a tab 310a extending radially away from the common rotational axis of thealternative first drive assembly 332. A ridge 312 a may extendperpendicularly from and bisect an inner face 314 a of each tab 310 a.The ridge 312 a may slant or taper from a wide base adjacent therotational axis of the first pulley 348 and narrow as it extends alongthe inner face 314 a to a top edge 316 a of the tab 310 a. The bases ofthe ridges 312 a may extend across a midpoint of the groove 308 a suchthat they overlap. The respective brackets 306 a may be spaced apartfrom each other on opposite sides of the groove 308 a such that thefirst operating cord 116 fits within the groove 308 a and isfrictionally engaged by the ridges 312 a to reduce or eliminate slippagein the groove 308 a. The top edges 316 b of the tabs 310 a and ridges312 a may be rounded or contoured in order to reduce abrasion of thefirst operating cord 116 as it passes between respective brackets 306 a.

Each of the brackets 306 b on the second pulley 350 may define a tab 310b extending radially away from the common rotational axis of thealternative first drive assembly 332. A pair of ridges 312 b may extendperpendicularly from lateral edges of each tab 310 b. The ridges 312 bon each tab 310 b may define a channel between them and the inner face314 b of each tab 310 b. A plurality of base ridges 315 may extend alonga sidewall of the second pulley 350 from the inner faces 314 b betweeneach pair of ridges 312 b in a direction parallel to the commonrotational axis of the alternative first drive assembly 332. The tabs310 b and ridges 312 b may be rounded or contoured at a top edge 316 bin order to reduce abrasion of the second operating cord 146 as itpasses between the brackets 306 b. The respective brackets 306 b may bespaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the groove 308 b suchthat the second operating cord 146 fits within the groove 308 b and isfrictionally engaged by the ridges 312 b and base ridges 315 to reduceor eliminate slippage in the groove 308 b.

The first pulley 348 and the second pulley 350 are coupled together toprevent relative rotation therebetween. For example, the first andsecond pulleys 348, 350 may include corresponding structure operable tolimit rotation of the first pulley 348 relative to the second pulley350. In one embodiment, the second bearing shaft 340 extends through theaxial bearing hole 339 defined in the second pulley 350. A plurality oflocking tabs 341 may extend outward from a face of the first pulley 348adjacent to and spaced apart from each other circumferentially aroundthe second bearing shaft 340. Each locking tab 341 may define a seat 343near a base of the locking tab 341 and a latch nubbin 345 at a distalend of the locking tab 341 extending radially outward therefrom. Thelocking tabs 341 are sized and spaced to fit within several hubapertures 347 defined between adjacent spokes 351, a rim wall 353, and ahub wall 355 forming part of the structure of the second pulley 350. Thehub apertures 347 configured to receive the locking tabs 341 may includea latch shelf 349 extending radially inward from the rim wall 353 towardthe hub wall 355. When the first pulley 348 and the second pulley 350are coupled together, the locking tabs 341 extend within the hubapertures 347 such that the latch nubbins 345 snap past and engageagainst an outer side of the latch shelves 349, thereby retaining thefirst pulley 348 and the second pulley 350 together. The seat 343 nearthe base of each of the locking tabs 341 abuts against an edge surfaceof the rim wall 353 opposite the second pulley 350 to provide axialtension for engagement of the latch nubbins 345 against the latchshelves 349 and further to provide a small separation distance betweenthe first pulley 348 and the second pulley 350 when the two are attachedtogether. The interface between the latch tabs 349 and the spokes 351further prevents relative rotation between the first pulley 348 and thesecond pulley 350 so that they are rotationally fixed together.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 8-10, the housing 122 may be mounted withrespect to one end of the head rail 112 via a connection member 124. Insome embodiments, the housing 122 may extend from an end of the headrail 112. The housing 122 may define a slot or aperture 126 in a lowersurface through which the operating element 154 of the second driveassembly and the first operating cord 116 may enter and/or exit thehousing 122. As shown, the aperture 126 may be defined at leastpartially by an engagement surface 128. The engagement surface mayextend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the operatingwand 115 and operating element 154 to aid in the transition of the firstoperating cord 116 from engagement with the first pulley 148 to aposition substantially aligned with the operating wand 115. An upperportion of the first operating cord 116 may slide against the engagementsurface 128 as the first operating cord 116 is reversibly circulatedthrough the aperture 126. In some embodiments, the lower portion of thefirst operating cord 116 may extend substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the operating wand 115. The engagement surface 128may be formed to position a lower portion of the first operating cord116 closely adjacent the operating wand 115 so as to prevent “wand kick”in embodiments in which the first operating cord 116 is corralled by theoperating wand 115.

An example of a housing 122, which may be used to house and optionallyalso to support the above-described first drive assembly 132 and seconddrive assembly 134, is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 8, and 11-13. As shownin FIG. 4, the housing 122 may be a two-piece housing including a firsthousing half 122 a and a second housing half 122 b. An interiorstructure of the first housing half 122 a is also shown in FIG. 7 andthe interior structure of the second housing half 122 b may besubstantially a mirror image with some variations to that of the firsthousing half 122 a as will be further described below. The first housinghalf 122 a and the second housing half 122 b may be coupled together bymechanical fasteners, adhesive, heat or sonic welding, or any otherattachment means. Each of the first and second housing halves 122 a, 122b may include corresponding first and second bearing surfaces 142, 144that rotatably receive the first and second bearings 138, 140,respectively, of the first drive assembly 132. When the first and secondhousing halves 122 a, 122 b are coupled together as shown in FIG. 3, thecorresponding first and second bearing surfaces 142, 144 of the firstand second housing halves 122 a, 122 b may substantially surround thefirst and second bearings 138, 140, respectively, to rotatably supportthe first drive assembly 132 within the housing 122. The first bearingsurface 142 that supports the first bearing 138 may be defined by aninner wall 234 formed at an intersection of the first and second housinghalves 122 a, 122 b, and the second bearing surface 144 that supportsthe second bearing 140 may be defined within an outer wall 236 formed atan intersection of the first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b.

In some embodiments, the inner wall 234 and the outer wall 236 mayextend at an oblique angle (for example, 45°) relative to a longitudinalaxis of the head rail 112. In this manner, the rotational axis of thefirst drive assembly 132 as held between the first and second bearingsurfaces 142, 144 may be oriented at an oblique angle with respect toboth a longitudinal axis of the head rail 112 and the longitudinal axisof the operating wand 115. This angular orientation provides anintermediate position for transition of both the first operating cord116 and the second operating cord 146 to the first drive assembly 132,such as to coaxial pulleys 148, 150. For instance, this angularorientation provides a transition of the first operating cord 116 from avertical orientation along the operating wand 115 to engage with thefirst drive assembly 132, as well as a transition of the secondoperating cord 146 from a horizontal orientation along the head rail 112to also engage with the first drive assembly 132. By orienting the firstdrive assembly 132 at such an angle, the possibility for binding of thefirst and second operating cords 116, 146 within the first and secondpulleys 148, 150, respectively is reduced. However, the first and secondbearing surfaces 142, 144 and thus the first drive assembly 132 need notbe oriented at such an angle and can be arranged in other orientations.

In some embodiments, the housing 122 may be arranged to ensure reliableoperation of the first drive assembly 132, such as limitingdisengagement of the first and second operating cords 116, 146 from thefirst drive assembly 132. For example, without limitation, each of thefirst and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b may include guidestructures operable to maintain the first and second operating cords116, 146 within the grooves 208 a, 208 b of the first and second pulleys148, 150, respectively. The first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 bmay together form a first guide structure 238 (see FIG. 11) and a secondguide structure 240 (see FIG. 12). As shown in FIG. 8, the first guidestructure 238 may be substantially planar plate and may extend inwardlyfrom the inner surface 226 of the first housing half 122 a towards thesecond housing half 122 b. An inner edge of the first guide structure238 may define an arcuate guide surface 242 around an outer diameter ofthe first pulley 148 (see FIG. 11). The arcuate guide surface 242 isspaced apart from the first pulley 148 to provide sufficient clearancefor the first operating cord 116 to pass around the first pulley 148within the housing 122. The arcuate guide surface 242 assists in seatingthe first operating cord 116 fully into the groove 208 a to achieve fullengagement between the first operating cord 116 and the pulley brackets206 a and retain the first operating cord 116 within the groove 208 ashould the first operating cord 116 “jump” out of the groove 208 aduring operation. In some embodiments, the arcuate guide surface 242 maynot follow a circular arc, but may instead have a varying radius ofcurvature such that the arcuate guide surface 242 has a smaller radiusat a location adjacent the guide pulleys 152 to maintain the firstoperating cord 116 fully in the groove 208 a and a larger radius at alocation opposite the guide pulleys 152 to allow the first operatingcord 116 to exit the groove 208 a and pass out of the housing 122.

The second guide structure 240 may be a substantially planar plate andmay extend inwardly from the inner surface 226 of the first housing half122 a towards the second housing half 122 b. An inner edge surface ofthe second guide structure 240 may define an arcuate guide surface 246,which may extend around an outer diameter of the second pulley 150 (seeFIG. 12). The arcuate guide surface 246 is spaced apart from the secondpulley 150 to provide sufficient clearance for the second operating cord146 to pass around the second pulley 150 within the housing 122. Thearcuate guide surface 246 assists in seating the second operating cord146 fully into the groove 208 b to achieve full engagement between thecord and the pulley brackets 206 b and retain the second operating cord146 within the groove 208 b should the second operating cord 146 “jump”out of the groove 208 b during operation. In some embodiments, thearcuate guide surface 246 may not follow a circular arc, but may insteadhave a varying radius of curvature such that the arcuate guide surface246 has a smaller radius at a location opposite the guide pulleys 152 tomaintain the second operating cord 146 fully in the groove 208 b and alarger radius at a location adjacent the guide pulleys 152 to allow thefirst operating cord 116 to exit the groove 208 b. Further, the arcuateguide surface 246 guides the second operating cord 146 to pass throughrespective cord apertures 278 in an outer surface 241 of the connectionmember 124 attached to the housing 122. In this embodiment, the secondoperating cord 146 slides along a contoured channel 245 at an end of thearcuate guide surface 246 as shown in FIG. 12.

As noted, the second housing half 122 b may be similarly configured withcorresponding first and second guide structures 238, 240, which are notillustrated. In such embodiments, the arcuate guide surfaces 242, 246 ofthe first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b may at least partiallysurround the first and second operating cords 116, 146 to reduce orcontrol radial movement of the first and second operating cords 116, 146away from the first and second pulleys 148, 150, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 13, at least one, and optionally both, ofthe first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b may include a retentiontab 248 to secure the planetary gear system 136 within the housing 122and to prevent rotation of the carrier 200 with respect to the housing122. With reference to the first housing half 122 a, the retention tab248 may extend inwardly from the inner surface 226 towards the secondhousing half 122 b and may be positioned between the first guidestructure 238 and the second guide structure 240. The second housinghalf 122 b may be similarly configured. An inner edge of the retentiontab 248 may define an arcuate guide surface 250 having a radius ofcurvature sized to generally correspond with an outer diameter of themain body 204 of the carrier 200. The retention tab 248 may bepositioned to engage the buttresses 202 of the carrier 200. For example,as shown in FIG. 13, each retention tab 248 has a top corner portion 252engaging a first rib 202 a on each side and a bottom corner portion 254engaging adjacent top edges of the second and fourth ribs 202 b, 202 d.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, at least one, and optionally both, ofthe first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 a may include a retentionrecess 256 defined within the engagement surface 128, which is alignedwithin the same plane as the retention tabs 248, and shaped to match anouter periphery of a third rib 202 c. Together, the retention tabs 248and the retention recess 256 lock the carrier 200, if provided, withinthe housing 122 and prevent rotational movement of the carrier 200relative to the housing 122. The fixed carrier 200, through the planetgears 198 attached to the posts 199, thus acts to support the planetarygear system 136 of the first drive assembly 132.

FIGS. 19 and 20 depict alternate embodiments of first and second housinghalves 322 a, 322 b and a connection member 324 for mounting and housingthe first pulley 348 and the second pulley 350 of FIGS. 16-18. In FIG.19, the second housing halve 322 b is removed to reveal the first pulley348 and the second pulley 350 and the first and second operating cords116, 146. In FIG. 20, the first housing half 322 a is removed as are thefirst and second operating cords 116, 146 and the first and secondoperating elements 154, 156 for clarity in presentation of otherstructural features. The first pulley 348 and the second pulley 350 maybe retained within the first and second housing halves 322 a, 322 b bybearing surfaces that allow the attached first and second pulleys 348,350 to rotate therein. The first operating cord 116 may exit the housinghalves 322 a, 322 b through an aperture 326 along a slanted engagementsurface 328 as the first operating cord 116 is reversibly circulatedthrough the aperture 326.

A first bearing surface 342 is defined by an inner wall 334 a of thefirst housing half 322 a and an inner wall 322 b of the second housinghalf 322 b. The first bearing surface 342 is formed by semicircularcutouts in opposing edges of the inner walls 322 a, 322 b as they meetat an interface between them in the housing halves 322 a, 322 b. Thefirst bearing shaft 338 extending from the first pulley 348 extendsthrough a hole defined by the semicircular cutouts, the edges of whichdefine the first bearing surface 342 within which the first bearingshaft 338 rotates. The second housing half 322 b further defines aretention plank 335 mounted on a support wall 337 extending (e.g.,orthogonally or normally) from the inner wall 322 b and extends to theedge of the first bearing surface 342. The retention plank 335 isoriented parallel to the inner wall 322 b and extends outward over thehole defined by the first bearing surface 342 in a cantileveredconfiguration. The retention plank 335 thus limits potential axialmovement of the first bearing shaft 338 and consequently axial movementof the first and second pulleys 348, 350 in the housing halves 322 a,322 b to maintain the first and second pulleys 348, 350 in place.

A second bearing surface 371 may be formed as a cylindrical pocket in anouter wall of the housing halves 322 a, 322 b by semi-cylindricalrecesses in opposing edges of the first and second housing halves 322 a,322 b as they meet at an interface therebetween below the connectionmember 324. The second bearing shaft 340 extending through the bearingaperture 339 in the second pulley 350 may seat within the second bearingsurface 371 and rotate therein.

Further, in the alternative exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 19and 20, the connection member 324 may be configured to receive thesecond operating cord 146 without the use of guide pulleys as in otherembodiments. The connection member 324 may be formed with a pair of cordchutes 367 extending outward from an inner face thereof above a top edgeof the second pulley 350. The cord chutes 367 may be formed to provide atransition path and guide surface for the second operating cord 146between the head rail 112 and the second pulley 350. For example, thecord chutes 367 may be formed as concave channels extending along adownward curve or at an oblique angle from the horizontal orientation ofthe head rail 112. A pulley guide 367 may also extend from the innerface of the connection member 324 between the cord chutes 367 to aposition substantially over the receiving groove 308 b of the secondpulley 350 in order to help retain the second operating cord 146 withinthe receiving groove 408 b.

As noted above, the connection member 124 may be provided to facilitatemounting and/or coupling of the housing 122 to one end of the head rail112. In some embodiments, the connection member 124 may be integratedwith the housing 122 or integrated with the head rail 112.Alternatively, the head rail 112, the housing 122, and the connectionmember 124 may be formed as a single, unified structure. Each of thefirst and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b and the connection member124 may include alignment and/or retention features to secure theconnection member 124 to the housing 122. For example, with reference toFIGS. 4 and 8, the first and second housing halves 122 a may include aslot 257 defined within a third outer wall 258 and having a longitudinallength substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the head rail112. Latch fingers 260 may extend away from the second outer wall 236substantially parallel to the slot 257. Each latch finger 260 mayinclude a protrusion 262 extending generally perpendicularly away from alengthwise axis of the latch finger 260 and toward the slot 257. In suchembodiments, the connection member 124 may include ribs 264 and latchrecesses 266 that correspond with the slots 257 and protrusions 262 ofthe first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b, respectively (seeFIGS. 4 and 10). As shown, each rib 264 may extend along a longitudinallength of an outer surface of a main body 268 of the connection member124. Each latch recess 266 may be defined within a bottom surface 270 ofthe main body 268.

To secure the connection member 124 to the housing 122, the ribs 264disposed on the connection member 124 may be received within the slots257 of the housing 122 and the latch fingers 260 may extend across thebottom surface 270 of the main body 268 of the connection member 124until the protrusions 262 project into the latch recesses 266. In someembodiments, the connection member 124 may be releasably secured to thehousing 122 by the latch fingers 260 and prevented from rotationprimarily by the interface of the ribs 264 within the slots 257.Additionally, or alternatively, the connection member 124 may be securedto the housing 122 by adhesive, heat or sonic welding, mechanicalfasteners, or any other suitable attachment means.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the connection member 124may include a flange 272 extending from an end of the main body 268substantially perpendicular to the ribs 264. The flange 272 may abutagainst an end of the housing 122 to axially locate the connectionmember 124 relative to the housing 122. For example, the main body 268of the connection member 124 may slide into the housing 122 until an endof the housing 122 abuts an inner surface 274 of the flange 272 (seeFIG. 2). The main body 268 and the flange 272 may include a driveaperture 276 (further described below) and two cord apertures 278defined there through. The cord apertures 278 may be sized to slidablyreceive the second operating cord 146 (see FIG. 8). In such embodiments,rotation of the planetary gear system 136 causes first and secondhorizontal runs 146 a, 146 b of the second operating cord 146 to slideor pass through the cord apertures 278 of the connection member 124 (seeFIG. 12). The main body 268 and the flange 272 may define a cavity 275therein for receipt of a portion (e.g., an end) of the head rail 112.The portion of the head rail 112 received within the cavity 275 may becoupled to the connection member 124 by adhesive, heat or sonic welding,mechanical fasteners, or any other suitable attachment means.

As noted above, and as shown in FIG. 11, first and second vertical runs116 a, 116 b of the first operating cord 116 may be routed through theaperture 126 of the housing 122 adjacent the engagement surface 128. Thefirst operating cord 116 may be routed around a majority of the firstpulley 148 of the planetary gear system 136 and adjacent the first guidestructures 238 of the first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b. Asshown, the first operating cord 116 may be engaged with a majority ofthe alternating ridge structures 206 a of the first pulley 148 so thatmanipulation of the vertical runs 116 a, 116 b of the first operatingcord 116 causes the first pulley 148 to rotate about the commonrotational axis of the planetary gear system 136. For example, pullingthe first vertical run 116 a away from the housing 122 may cause thefirst pulley 148 to rotate in a first rotational direction (e.g.,clockwise in FIG. 11). Pulling the second vertical run 116 b away fromthe housing 122 may cause the first pulley 148 to rotate in a secondrotational direction (e.g., counter-clockwise in FIG. 11). As explainedbelow, reversible rotation of the first pulley 148 may cause the secondpulley 150 to reversibly circulate the second operating cord 146 throughthe cord apertures 278 and along a length of the head rail 112 (see FIG.12). As explained above, the carrier 200 of the planetary gear system136 remains stationary during rotation of the first pulley 148 (see FIG.13).

With reference to FIG. 12, the second operating cord 146 may be routedaround a majority of the second pulley 150 of the planetary gear system136 and adjacent the second guide structures 240 of the first and secondhousing halves 122 a, 122 b. In some embodiments, the second operatingcord 146 may be engaged with a majority of the alternating ridgestructures 206 b of the second pulley 150 so that rotation of the secondpulley 150 causes the first and second horizontal runs 146 a, 146 b ofthe second operating cord 146 to slide or pass through the cordapertures 278 of the connection member 124. For example, rotation of thesecond pulley 150 in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise inFIG. 12) may cause the second horizontal run 146 b to pass through oneof the cord apertures 278 toward the head rail 112. Rotation of thesecond pulley 150 in a second rotational direction (e.g.,counter-clockwise in FIG. 12) may cause the first horizontal run 146 ato pass through the other of the cord apertures 278 toward the head rail112. As explained above, the carrier 200 of the planetary gear system136 may remain stationary during rotation of the second pulley 150 (seeFIG. 13).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second drive assembly 134 may also berotatably mounted (e.g., within the housing 122) and operable to movethe shade in a second manner, such as between a closed configuration andan open configuration. For example, in some embodiments such as shown inFIGS. 3 and 12, the second drive assembly 134 may rotate a drivenelement, such as a rail shaft 130 extending along the head rail 112, inorder to further rotate the vanes 114 between the closed and openconfigurations. Rotation of the second drive assembly 134 in a firstdirection may rotate the vanes 114 to a closed configuration with vanes114 rotated with their front either toward or away from the housing 122.Rotation of the second drive assembly 134 in a second direction (e.g.,opposite the first direction) may rotate the vanes 114 to the oppositeclosed configuration with vanes 114 rotated with their front in theopposite direction. The operating wand 115 may be coupled to the seconddrive assembly 134 to control the second drive assembly 134 throughmanipulation of the operating wand 115.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 14, and 15, the second drive assembly 134 mayinclude the first operating element 154 and a second operating element156 operably coupled to (e.g., rotationally coupled to) the firstoperating element 154. In one embodiment, each of the first and secondoperating elements 154, 156 may be in the form of a gear member. A firstend 158 of the first operating element 154 may be pivotably attached toan end of the operating wand 115. A second end 166 of the firstoperating element 154 may be operably engaged with a first end 164 ofthe second operating element 156, such as on an outer circumferentialsurface thereof. The first operating element 154 may thus extend at anangle (e.g., less than 90 degrees, greater than 90 degrees, or 90degrees) from the axis of rotation of the second operating element 156.However, the first operating element 154 may extend out of the housing122 at an oblique angle to vertical such that the first end 158 isoriented away from the wall 119 of the mounting surface and into theroom for easier access and manipulation of the operating wand 115. Asecond end 157 of the second gear member 156 may be engaged with therail shaft 130 (for controlling the position of the covering material,such as by pivoting vanes of the material between open and closedpositions) and extend therefrom in axial alignment with the axis of therail shaft 130, as discussed in further detail below.

In some embodiments, the operating wand 115 is secured to the firstoperating element 154. For example, and without limitation, theoperating wand 115 may be releasably secured to the first end 158 of thefirst operating element 154. For example, a securing clip 160 may befixed to the top end of the operating wand 115. A U-shaped loop 161 maybe fixed at both ends on lateral sides of the securing clip 160 andextend above a top surface thereof. The loop 161 may be received throughan aperture 162 defined in a shaft portion 155 of the first operatingelement 154 at the first end 158 to thereby attach the first operatingelement 154 to an end of the operating wand 115 via the securing clip160 and loop 161. As such, the operating wand 115 may be operable torotate the first operating element 154 about its longitudinal axis. Thepivoting connection of the loop 161 within the aperture 162 of the firstoperating element 154 may be operable to position a longitudinal axis ofthe operating wand 115 at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinalaxis of the first operating element 154, which allows the longitudinalaxis of the operating wand 115 to remain in a vertical orientation withrespect to the mounting surface 119 and architectural structure/feature.In another exemplary embodiment, the wand may extend from the firstoperating element 154 at an angle to the mounting surface 119, in whichorientation the wand angles into the room and away from the mountingsurface as it extends downwardly from the head rail.

In operation, as a user grasps the operating wand 115 to manipulate thecovering 110, the user generally naturally angles the operating wand 115into the room. In prior arrangements, as the user lifts a wand into theroom, the resulting angle between an operating element at the hingeinterface between the wand and the operating element decreases from180°. As the user tries to rotate the wand to adjust the shade, thehinge interface of prior arrangements will rotate and can abut theoperating element, causing the hinge interface, the cord loop, and theoperating element to bind in prior arrangements. In one embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the first operating element 154 may be angledinto the room to preferably achieve an angle of as close to 180° aspossible between the first operating element 154 and the securing clip160 coupled to the top of the operating wand 115 when the user holds andoperates the operating wand 115 (based on an average angle at which atypical user would hold the operating wand 115), thereby mitigatingpotential binding. An outside angle between the first operating element154 and the operating wand 115 is thus preferably greater than 180° sothat when the operating wand 115 is pulled into the room by the user theresulting angle is approximately 180° to optimize torque transfer fromthe operating wand 115 to the first operating element 154 (i.e., theoperating wand 115 transfers torque best when the angle between theoperating wand 115 and the first operating element 154 is as close to180° as possible).

The first end 164 of the second operating element 156 may mesh with andengage the second end 166 of the first operating element 154 as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, the second operating element 156 mayextend substantially perpendicularly to the first operating element 154.In one embodiment, the first operating element 154 may extend at anangle (e.g., an acute angle) relative to vertical. The second driveassembly 134 may include a worm drive operable to move the shade betweenclosed and open configurations. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4,14, and 15, the second end 166 of the first operating element 154includes a first gear mesh portion (e.g., a worm screw 168), and thefirst end 164 of the second operating element 156 includes a second gearmesh portion (e.g., a worm gear 170) engaged with the first gear meshportion, such as the worm screw 168 enmeshed with the worm screw 168.With reference to FIG. 4, reversible rotation of the second driveassembly 134 may cause the vanes 114 to move between open and closedconfigurations. For example, rotation of the first operating element 154in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) rotates the worm screw 168at the second end 166 thereof. The gear mesh between the worm screw 168and the worm gear 170 causes the second operating element 156 and,correspondingly, the rail shaft 130 coupled to the second operatingelement 156 to rotate in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwisein FIG. 12) to rotate the vanes 114 such that their front surfacesrotate either toward or away from the housing 122. Similarly, rotationof the first operating element 154 in a second direction (e.g.,clockwise) rotates the worm screw 168. The gear mesh between the wormscrew 168 and the worm gear 170 causes the second operating element 156and the rail shaft 130 to rotate in a second rotational direction (e.g.,counter-clockwise in FIG. 12) to rotate the vanes 114 such that theirfront rotates in the opposite direction.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the second end 157 of the second operatingelement 156 may define an aperture 159 in an end thereof configured toreceive an end of the rail shaft 130. A cross-section of an embodimentof a rail shaft 130 may define a non-uniform shape, for example, withmultiple flutes or lobes that are designed to interact with a mechanicalassembly (not shown) that rotates the vanes 114. The aperture 159 in thesecond operating element 156 may correspond to the cross-section of therail shaft 130 in order to prevent relative rotation between the secondoperating element 156 and the rail shaft 130. The second end 157 of thesecond operating element 156 also fits within the drive aperture 276 ofthe connection member 124. (See FIG. 10.) The second end 157 may beunderstood as a journal supported by the connection member 124 whichacts as a bearing. The second operating element 156 thus extendsoutwardly from an end of the rail shaft 130 along the same longitudinalaxis as the rail shaft 130 along a midline between the first and secondhousing halves 122 a, 122 b of the housing 122.

The first operating element 154 may be positioned at an angle relativeto the vertical midline of the housing 122 such that the first end 158of the first operating element 154 is positioned substantially along thevertical midline of the housing 122 while the second end 166 of thefirst operating element 154 is offset from the vertical midline and israther adjacent and behind the first end 164 of the second operatingelement 156 (see FIGS. 4 and 11). In this configuration, the operatingwand 115 may hang vertically below the vertical midline of the housing122 where it attaches to the first end 158 of the first operatingelement 154. Thus, while the second end 166 is behind the first end 164of the second operating element 156, the first end 158 extends forwardsuch that the connection with the operating wand 115 is on the verticalmidline. This forces the first operating cord 116 to route symmetricallyon either side of the connection between the first operating element 154and the operating wand 115. The symmetry is advantageous when the firstoperating cord 116 is pre-tensioned; if the two portions of the firstoperating cord 116 were not symmetric, then the first operating cord 116would pull on one side of the operating wand 115 more than the other andcould cause a wand-kick. However, this embodiment is exemplary only andthe second operating element 156 need not be positioned along themidline of the housing 122 as long as it aligns with the rail shaft 130.Further, the first operating element 154 need not be adjacent and behindthe first end 164 of the second operating element 156, but could bepositioned in front of the second operating element 156 or in otherpositions so long as the gear meshes between the two are configured tomate appropriately for such positions.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a support cage 172may be provided for a drive assembly of the covering 110, such as forthe second drive assembly 134. In the illustrated embodiments, thesupport cage 172 is in the form of a frame or scaffold including a guidesurface for holding a shaft of an operating element of the driveassembly at an oblique angle to vertical, as described more fully below.In one embodiment, the support cage 172 may surround the worm screw 168and the worm gear 170 of the second drive assembly 134 to hold the wormscrew 168 and the worm gear 170 in place relative to each other duringoperation of the second drive assembly 134. The support cage 172, whichmay be referred to simply as a scaffold, is operable to maintaincontinuous engagement of the worm screw 168 and the worm gear 170. Insome embodiments, the second drive assembly 134 may be rotatably mountedwithin the support cage 172. In one embodiment, the support cage 172substantially surrounds the worm screw 168 and the worm gear 170;however, in other embodiments, the support cage 172 may at leastpartially surround the worm screw 168 and the worm gear 170.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 14, and 15, the first operating element 154 may bepositioned at a first location within the support cage 172. In anexemplary embodiment, the second end 166 of the first operating element154 may define a flange 174 extending radially from a bearing surface176 positioned between the flange 174 and the worm screw 168. Thesupport cage 172 may include an arcuate locating strip 178 or web ofmaterial having dimensions corresponding with the space between theflange 174, the worm screw 168, and the bearing surface 176 of the firstoperating element 154 and defining a first pocket 175 for receiving thesecond end 166 of the first operating element 154. The locating strip178, which may be referred to as a first arcuate web element, may seatagainst the bearing surface 176 of the first operating element 154, thusretaining the first operating element 154 within the support cage 172.The locating tab 178 may thus limit axial movement of the firstoperating element 154 relative to the support cage 172.

The support cage 172 may further define an arcuate alignment strip 179or web of material that defines a second pocket 177 in the support cage172 beneath and spaced apart from the arcuate locating strip 178. Thearcuate alignment strip 179, which may be referred to as a guide surfaceand/or a second arcuate web element, is wider than the arcuate locatingstrip 178 and thus extends further toward the midline of the housing 122than the arcuate locating strip 178. The shaft portion 155 of the firstoperating element 154 may be positioned within the first and secondpockets 175, 177, such as resting against the arcuate locating andalignment strips 178, 179 as journals. In the illustrated embodiments,the arcuate alignment strip 179 holds the shaft portion 155 at anoblique angle to vertical, such as tilting the shaft portion 155 outwardwith respect to a surface defining the architectural structure/featureto which the covering 110 is associated. In one example, the differencein widths of the arcuate locating strip 178 and the arcuate alignmentstrip 179 causes the first operating element 154 to extend through theaperture 126 in the housing 122 at an oblique angle from vertical. Forexample, an edge of the alignment strip 179 defining the second pocket177 may be offset from vertical alignment with an edge of the locatingstrip 178 defining the first pocket 175. In such embodiments, the shaftportion 155 may be held at an oblique angle to vertical when interfacingwith the respective edges of the locating and alignment strips 178, 179.Though the first operating element 154 may extend at an oblique angle tovertical, the U-shaped loop 161 received through the aperture 162 in theshaft portion 155 of the first operating element 154 acts as a pivot orhinge allowing the wand 115 to hang vertically from the first operatingelement 154. Though the first operating element 154 may extend at anoblique angle to vertical, the first end 158 of the first operatingelement 154 may be positioned substantially below and aligned with thefirst end 164 of the second operating element 156.

As shown in FIG. 15, a bearing cavity 180 may be defined in the firstend 164 of the second operating element 156 to position the secondoperating element 156 at a second location within the support cage 172.In some embodiments, the bearing cavity 180 may be defined by asubstantially cylindrical inner surface 182 within the first end 164 ofthe second operating element 156. As shown in FIG. 14, the support cage172 may include a boss 184 with a bearing surface 188 extending awayfrom an inner face 186 of the support cage 172. The boss 184 may bereceived within the bearing cavity 180 to rotatably seat the secondoperating element 156 within the support cage 172. The inner surface 182of the second operating element 156 may thus interface with the bearingsurface 188 of the boss 184 to allow for rotation of the secondoperating element 156 against the boss 184.

The support cage 172 may be configured to maintain meshed engagement ofthe first operating element 154 with the second operating element 156.For instance, in one embodiment, the support cage 172 may include anarcuate engagement surface 190 to rotatably support a journal surface192 of the second operating element 156. The arcuate engagement surface190 is semi-cylindrical and spaced away from the inner face 186 of thesupport cage 172. Together, the arcuate engagement surface 190 and theboss 184 may function to maintain meshed engagement of the secondoperating element 156 with the first operating element 154 by limitingaxial and radial movement of the second operating element 156 away fromthe first operating element 154.

The first and second housing halves 122 a, 122 b may each includecorresponding retention features operable to receive the second driveassembly 134 within the housing 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, asupport cavity 218 may be defined within the first housing half 122 aand may be sized to receive and align the support cage 172 of the seconddrive assembly 134 within the housing 122. In one embodiment, thesupport cavity 218 may be defined, in part, by an arcuate first outerwall 220, a bottom wall 222, and an alignment wall 224 of the firsthousing half 122 a. The bottom wall 222 and the alignment wall 224 mayextend inwardly from an inner surface 226 of the first housing half 122a towards the second housing half 122 b. In some embodiments, the bottomwall 222 may extend substantially parallel to the second operatingelement 156, and the alignment wall 224 may extend substantiallyperpendicular to the second operating element 156. In some embodiments,the alignment wall 224 may be attached to the first outer wall 220 andthe bottom wall 222. The bottom wall 222 may include one or morealignment tabs 228 that may be received within one or more correspondinglocating slots 230 of the support cage 172. To further align the supportcage 172 within the housing 122, the alignment wall 224 may be receivedwithin one or more corresponding alignment grooves 232 defined withinthe support cage 172.

The foregoing description has broad application. While the providedexamples describe a covering having vertical slats, it should beappreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to manytypes of blinds, including Venetian-type blinds and vertical blinds orcoverings. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant onlyto be explanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of thedisclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. In otherwords, while illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have beendescribed in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventiveconcepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that theappended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations,except as limited by the prior art.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the formor forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of thedisclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, orconfigurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However,the various features disclosed herein are separate and independent ofone another. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that one feature maybe present in an embodiment formed in accordance with the presentdisclosure without necessarily including other features disclosedherein. Further, it should be understood that various features of thecertain aspects, embodiments, or configurations of the disclosure may becombined in alternate aspects, embodiments, or configurations. Moreover,the following claims are hereby incorporated into this DetailedDescription by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment of the present disclosure.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein,are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation.

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more ofthat entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower,upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use ofthis disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled,connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may includeintermediate members between a collection of elements and relativemovement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such,connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements aredirectly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Identificationreferences (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth,etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority, but are usedto distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposesof illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relativesizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drive assembly for an architectural covering,the drive assembly comprising: a first pulley; a second pulleyoperationally engaged with the first pulley; a first operating cordpassing around the first pulley and extending at least partially in adownward direction for manual actuation; and a second operating cordpassing around the second pulley and extending at least partially in atransverse direction along an architectural structure or feature toactuate the covering to extend or retract across the architecturalstructure or feature; wherein the first and second pulleys are coaxialand rotate about a common rotational axis that is oblique in orientationwith respect to the downward direction of the first operating cord andthe transverse direction of the second operating cord.
 2. The driveassembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second drive assemblyoperable to actuate the covering to rotate one or more vanes about alongitudinal axis of each respective vane; and an operating wand coupledto and extending from the second drive assembly for manual actuation ofthe second drive assembly.
 3. The drive assembly of claim 2, wherein thedownward direction of the first operating cord is coaxial with alongitudinal axis of the operating wand.
 4. The drive assembly of claim1, further comprising a third pulley that alters a direction of thesecond operating cord from the transverse direction to extend around thesecond pulley in the oblique orientation.
 5. The drive assembly of claim4, wherein: the third pulley comprises two pulley wheels connected by ashaft; and a first length of the second operating cord passes over afirst of the two pulley wheels and a second length of the secondoperating cord passes over a second of the two pulley wheels.
 6. Thedrive assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing with a slopedsurface that alters a direction of the second operating cord from thetransverse direction to extend around the second pulley in the obliqueorientation.
 7. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein a first diameterof a first cord groove of the first pulley is greater than a seconddiameter of a second cord groove of the second pulley to provide amechanical advantage between the first and second pulleys.
 8. The driveassembly of claim 1, wherein the first pulley is fixed to the secondpulley to prevent relative rotation between the first and secondpulleys.
 9. A drive assembly for an architectural covering, the driveassembly comprising: a first pulley; a second pulley operationallyengaged with the first pulley; a first operating cord passing around thefirst pulley and extending at least partially in a downward directionfor manual actuation; and a second operating cord passing around thesecond pulley and extending at least partially in a transverse directionalong an architectural structure or feature to actuate the covering toextend or retract across the architectural structure or feature; whereinthe first and second pulleys are coaxial and rotate about a commonrotational axis.
 10. The drive assembly of claim 9, wherein the commonrotational axis is oblique in orientation with respect to the downwarddirection of the first operating cord and the transverse direction ofthe second operating cord.
 11. The drive assembly of claim 10, furthercomprising a third pulley that alters a direction of the secondoperating cord from the transverse direction to extend around the secondpulley in the oblique orientation.
 12. The drive assembly of claim 11,wherein: the third pulley comprises two pulley wheels connected by ashaft; and a first length of the second operating cord passes over afirst of the two pulley wheels and a second length of the secondoperating cord passes over a second of the two pulley wheels.
 13. Thedrive assembly of claim 9, further comprising a housing with a slopedsurface that alters a direction of the second operating cord from thetransverse direction to extend around the second pulley in the obliqueorientation.
 14. The drive assembly of claim 9, further comprising: asecond drive assembly operable to actuate the covering to rotate one ormore vanes about a longitudinal axis of each respective vane; and anoperating wand coupled to and extending from the second drive assemblyfor manual actuation of the second drive assembly.
 15. The driveassembly of claim 14, wherein the downward direction of the firstoperating cord is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the operatingwand.
 16. The drive assembly of claim 9, wherein a first diameter of afirst cord groove of the first pulley is greater than a second diameterof a second cord groove of the second pulley to provide a mechanicaladvantage between the first and second pulleys.
 17. The drive assemblyof claim 9, wherein the first pulley is fixed to the second pulley toprevent relative rotation between the first and second pulleys.